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HHS report finds nursing homes not prepared for natural disasters

The authors suggest that the federal government mandate better planning. At the same time, many nursing home officials are arguing that as the economy improves, states should increase their funding of Medicaid.

16 Apr 2012

New deadline for Medicare EHR bonus appeals

And, in an interview, Medscape explores how medical technology is changing the practice of medicine.

16 Apr 2012

First Edition: April 16, 2012

Today's headlines include reports about what the future might look like when Medicare doctors' pay will be tied to quality and cost of care, as well as how consumer advocates are anxious about a key aspect of the health law.

16 Apr 2012

As fiscal years start to wind down, states confront Medicaid issues

Although their tax revenue has improved substantially since the worst of the recession, states continue to face severe fiscal challenges as they are called on to spend more because of the economic stress caused largely by continued high unemployment. Many states face increasing caseloads for Medicaid, the combined federal-state health program for the poor and disabled.

16 Apr 2012

Contraception, Medicare, Medicaid hot-button topics in stump speeches

Political news coverage included a fact check of a Mitt Romney claim and more on the stay-at-home mom controversy.

16 Apr 2012

CMS settles Medicare reimbursement dispute with hospitals

With a price tag of about $3 billion, the agreement ends a decade-long dispute between an estimated 2,200 hospitals and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services over the calculation of pay rate cuts and offsets for rural hospitals.

16 Apr 2012

Congressional leaders' budget dispute is a preview to fall elections

Democrats and Republicans in Congress can't agree on a budget, but there's no disagreement about using (Rep. Paul) Ryan's to highlight an election-year divide. ... The debate underscores the broader dispute between the two parties about the role and size of government. From town halls to job fairs to meet-and-greets with voters during Congress' two-week recess, Democrats and Republicans focused on the budget in a preview of the seven-month campaign to November.

16 Apr 2012

Research roundup: Obesity treatment for low-income patients; Medicare vs. private plans

Low-income patients are underrepresented in clinical trials and are disproportionately prone to obesity and the related problems of high blood pressure and heart disease. Researchers conducted a 24-month trial of more than 300 low-income, obese patients from various Boston community health centers, randomizing participants "to usual care or a behavioral intervention that promoted weight loss and hypertension self-management using eHealth components. The intervention included tailored behavior change goals, self-monitoring, and skills training, available via a website or interactive voice response."

16 Apr 2012

Tenet enters into settlement with HHS and CMS

Tenet Healthcare Corporation announced that it has entered into an agreement as part of an industry-wide settlement with the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of HHS, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that is expected to result in approximate net cash proceeds to Tenet of $84 million, of which $77 million is expected to relate to continuing operations.

12 Apr 2012

Romney says he'll dismantle health law day 1 at the White House -- will that help him win over the right?

On the Democratic side, Vice President Joe Biden takes on Romney, while news outlets offer fact checks and reports of health policy sparring on the congressional campaign trail.

12 Apr 2012

Viewpoints: Medicare may be unintended victim of bank crisis; Health care industry's fears of law's reversal

The banks' actions led directly to an increase in government debt, which in turn has made the reduction of that debt by "cutting runaway spending" a centerpiece of the Republican presidential campaign to date.

12 Apr 2012

ACOs, IRS role in health reform implementation grab headlines

The inside joke among lobbyists as the health care law took shape was that it was so big and so sprawling, it would provide enough work for all of them for years to come. It became known as the "Full Employment Act." Now, it's not looking like such a sure thing anymore.

12 Apr 2012

New preoperative prepping kit to address surgical site infection risk

3M's Infection Prevention Division and Sage Products are working together to offer surgical staff and patients a new preoperative prepping kit to help address surgical site infection (SSI) risk within three main reservoirs of bacteria in the body: the nares, the oral cavity and the skin.

12 Apr 2012

Families USA: Ryan budget health cuts would tally $3 trillion

Health care cuts in House Republicans' budget -- not including their controversial Medicare overhaul -- would add up to nearly $3 trillion, according to a new report from the advocacy group Families USA.

12 Apr 2012

Enrollment complete for Ampio's multiple indication diagnostic clinical trials

Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a company that discovers and develops new uses for previously approved drugs and new molecular entities ("NMEs"), announced today that it has completed enrollment of patients for its multiple indication diagnostic clinical trials.

12 Apr 2012

First Edition: April 12, 2012

Today's headlines include reports about Massachusetts' health reform's sixth birthday.

From Medtronic 12 Apr 2012

Parsing the impact of the high court's health law arguments

A new Washington Post/ABC poll uncovered skepticism among Americans about whether the health law decision expected from the Supreme Court justices in June will be rooted "on the basis of the law." The poll also found that public support for the overhaul hit an all-time low, with the mandate being a bigger sticking point than ever. Meanwhile, according to The Associated Press, some of these views may be the result of "misconceptions" that resulted from the oral arguments.

12 Apr 2012